A New Beginning

 My muse apparently is still on vacation.  I have starts all over the studio, this one being the most recent.  I start but inspiration either leaves or I'm not sure where to go next -- or I fear messing it up.

But a better thing to do I think, is to look at it and wonder why I started this way.  I don't have an image in mind other than watercolor landscape but looking at this I see beach as though I'm seeing the landscape from out in the water.  That makes sense to me.  I do love being on the water but sitting on shore looking out at water works for me too.  I may just leave this one as it is or it could become more abstract.  

Hopefully my muse will return and help me find my way with this and a few others that are in the works.  Meanwhile I continue to do a quick morning sketch and sort more supplies that can go away.

On another note -- The Art Tribe exhibit at the Gallery Uptown came down yesterday.  I posted my piece in the exhibit last week.  I'm still lamenting the lost piece.  I truly like it so much better than the rushed piece that ended up in the exhibit.  Here's how it looked before the last two worked on it.

What's so wonderful about this is that it truly represents everyone taking time to think about where they were going to go with it and I can see them in what they did.  That and it has the work on one of the Tribe who was unable to work on my replacement piece because of health issues.  I do hope this turns up eventually but at least I have this photo. I may have to print it on a tee shirt.

The Art Tribe Is Back

 Art is a solo sport, sort of like playing solitaire. It’s just you and your art supplies. Like many of my artist friends, I thrive in the “aloneness” which is why the pandemic didn't bother me.  However, there are times when we need to be with friends, other artist friends -- the Art Tribe.

Memebers of my tribe are showing our latest creations at the Gallery Uptown in Grand Haven.  The opening reception is Friday, July1 from 5:30 to 7.

We recently lost one of the tribe members, Carol Brauer Schmidt, so we have dedicated the exhibit to her memory.  This is one of three florals that I did for the exhibit.  It wasn't until I did the 3rd one that I realized what paper I was using and most likely why I was using it for this exhibit.

The day I learned that we lost Carol I went to one of those Wine and Paint workshops with a friend.  It's not my thing but the friend wanted to go so I went.  We were painting sunflowers and mine were nothing to write home about.  But the paper that had been covering the table had some wonderful paint on it and so did my palette.  I went to work spreading paint all over that paper and took it home.  The pots holding the Flowers for Carol are cut out of that paper.

I believe an angel was with me in my studio as I worked on these.  As Mary Oliver wrote: "Only if there are angels in your head will you ever possibly see one."   Do come and see the exhibit if you're in the area.  The rest of the tribe: Margaret Benefiel, Carol Cousineau, Bette DelVecchio, Barbara Fugazzotto, GG Havens, Sandy Meyer and Annie Morgan. 

More Collage and a Picnic

I am enjoying playing with these little pieces, it's a great way to start the day...  This is 14.  Here are 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19.  I haven't scanned today's yet.

And the picnic.... Yesterday we celebrated our friend Karen's remission with my high school buddies.  Fourteen years ago we girls got together for another weekend get away.  When we were younger we did that a lot.  Karen was going through chemo but didn't miss the trip.  She wore her blue hat and rested a lot but didn't miss anything.  That was in May.  On the way home, while laying down in the back of the van we rode down in, she told us she was going to have a Remission Picnic in July.  Yesterday we celebrated her 14th Annual Remission Picnic.  Unfortunately we did lose another friend this past year.... to cancer.  The young one with the dark hair is her daughter.  We're missing one other member of the group; she's still with us but had another commitment so couldn't make it to the picnic.

Long Time Friends Gather

We gather to celebrate....

These friends are long time friends... here are most of us in 1957....

We go back to Junior High School... we've lost track of a few and a couple have died but 11 of us still get together regularly.  One was missing yesterday but she was there in spirit,  Nine of the 11 are in the 1957 photo although you can only see the top of Char's head (she's still the tallest.)

Twelve years ago we had a retreat at one of our friends' mountain home in West Virginia.  At the time Karen was going through Chemo, she had been diagnosed and given very little time.  Yesterday we jokingly called it her blue hair period (a blue knit cap covered her head.)

Before we left to come back to our respective homes she announced that she was going to be in remission and planned to have a Remission Picnic in July so we must put it on our calendars.  We have no doubt her doctors would not have agreed with her that Spring; however, she was determined to stay positive.

I am so happy to say she was right... yesterday was her 12th Annual Remission Picnic.  She;s second from left in the top photo and top left in the 1957 photo.  I feel truly blessed to be able to call these awesome women friends.  Love each and every one of them.